Imagine that George W. Bush had decided to proceed with a harsh, partisan speech attacking Democrats for "hurting people," despite a scene of mass murder unfolding just 3.5 miles away. On today's Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough imagined just such a scenario, and came to the inescapable conclusion: his own MSNBC network and the MSM at large would be "killing" W for his insensitivity and poor judgment.

Panelist John Heilemann of New York magazine grudgingly agreed that Scarborough's assessement was "kinda fair." But Mika Brzezinski empathized with our poor president: he was in a "horrible position." View the video after the jump.

View the video, then craft your own opening line from the New York Times editorial that would have undoubtedly denounced W had he done what President Obama did yesterday.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: I just can't imagine if any other president did this, the ramifications. George W.? George W.? Can you imagine what certain people at this network in 2006 --

JOHN HEILEMANN: At this table!

SCARBOROUGH: In 2007 or 2008 would have done?

MIKA BRZEZINSKI: What are you saying?

HEILEMANN: At this table. Can you imagine the way Mika would have reacted.

SCARBOROUGH: Mika would be killing George W., everybody here on this network would be killing George W., everybody at the New York Times would be killing George W. Every journalist in Washington, D.C. would be killing George W. It's unbelievable.

BRZEZINSKI: I think he was put in a horrible position.

SCARBOROUGH: No, he wasn't. He's President of the United States. He should be smart enough. The guy should be smart enough. There should be one person there that had the guts to say, Mr. President, you know, people are dying right now. You probably should not. Comfort the nation today. Attack Republicans tomorrow.